Multi-Site Harmonization of 7 Tesla MRI Neuroimaging Protocols
Published version
Peer-reviewed
Repository URI
Repository DOI
Change log
Authors
Abstract
Increasing numbers of 7 tesla (7T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners are in research and clinical use. 7T MRI can increase the scanning speed, spatial resolution and contrast-to-noise-ratio of many neuroimaging protocols, but technical challenges in implementation have been addressed in a variety of ways across sites. In order to facilitate multi-centre studies and ensure consistency of findings across sites, it is desirable that 7T MRI sites implement common high-quality neuroimaging protocols that can accommodate different scanner models and software versions. With the installation of several new 7T MRI scanners in the United Kingdom, the UK7T Network was established with an aim to create a set of harmonized structural and functional neuroimaging sequences and protocols. The Network currently includes five sites, which use three different scanner platforms, provided by two different vendors. Here we describe the harmonization of functional and anatomical imaging protocols across the three different scanner models, detailing the necessary changes to pulse sequences and reconstruction methods. The harmonized sequences are fully described, along with implementation details. Example datasets acquired from the same subject on all Network scanners are made available. Based on these data, an evaluation of the harmonization is provided. In addition, the implementation and validation of a common system calibration process is described. Keywords 7 tesla; MRI; Harmonization; anatomical; functional; Scanner calibration;
Description
Keywords
Journal Title
Conference Name
Journal ISSN
1095-9572
Volume Title
Publisher
Publisher DOI
Rights
Sponsorship
Medical Research Council (MR/N008537/1)
Medical Research Council (MR/M008983/1)
Wellcome Trust (098436/Z/12/Z)
Wellcome Trust (098436/Z/12/B)